Joseph Priestley
(1733-1804), Theologian and scientistMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 28 portraits
Chemist, renowned for his discovery of Oxygen. He also prepared various gases including ammonia, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide (hence the invention of soda water in 1772), as well as oxygen (1774). Priestley was a supporter of the French Revolution, and his radical social and religious views drove him to emigrate to America in 1794.
by Ellen Sharples, probably after James Sharples
pastel, circa 1797
NPG 175
by Ellen Sharples
pastel, circa 1797
NPG 2904
by Phipson
white metal medal, 1804
NPG 175a
by Thomas Halliday
bronze medal, 1804
NPG 175b
by J. Partridge, after Gilbert Stuart
stipple engraving, late 18th century
NPG D13808
by John Gregory Hancock
white metal medal, 1783
NPG D7057
'The repeal of the test act a vision'
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 16 February 1790
NPG D12254
Joseph Priestley ('The Mystical Divine')
by 'Annabal Scratch'
etching, 1791
NPG D5555
'Mr Burke's pair of spectacles for short-sighted politicians'
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching and aquatint, published 12 May 1791
NPG D9559
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 19 July 1791
NPG D13074
'A Birmingham toast, as given on the 14th of July, by the - Revolution Society'
by James Gillray, published by Samuel William Fores
hand-coloured etching, published 23 July 1791
NPG D13075
'Patriots amusing themselves; - or - Swedes practising at a post'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 19 April 1792
NPG D12449
'Tom Paine's nightly pest' (Charles James Fox; Thomas Paine; Joseph Priestley)
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 10 December 1792
NPG D12464
'Dumourier dining in state at St James's, on the 15th of May, 1793
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 30 March 1793
NPG D12474
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 8 April 1793
NPG D12475
'Presentation of the Mahometan credentials - or - the final resource of French atheists'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 26 December 1793
NPG D13018
'Blue and buff charity; - or - the patriarch of the Greek clergy applying for relief'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 12 June 1793
NPG D13081
'John Bull's sacrifice to Janus'
by James Sayers, published by Hannah Humphrey
etching, published 17 March 1794
NPG D12257
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching, published 16 November 1795
NPG D12546
by and published by Thomas Holloway, published by Robert Wilkinson, published by Darling & Thompson, after William Artaud
line engraving, published 15 July 1795
NPG D15373
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.